Tucked away in the rugged Victorian bushland lies the tiny outpost of Licola, population: five. Consisting of a couple of weatherboard buildings, a general store, a caravan park, and a petrol station grouped around a modest main street, Licola is one of Australia’s smallest towns.
And if you have a spare couple of million dollars, you can buy it. The entire village - a three-hour drive from the city of Melbourne - is now up for grabs, much to the shock and ire of tight-knit locals.
Privately owned by a local community club, Licola has long been a guaranteed pit stop for fuel, food, and rest for travelers on their way to the Alpine National Park. It also has a 50-year legacy of hosting outreach programs for young people. But the local branch of the Lions Club says it can't afford to run the town anymore, leading to the decision to sell.
The sale has raised alarm bells for Licola's few passionate residents, locals in surrounding areas, and even other Lions Clubs state members, who say they weren't fairly consulted and now hold grave fears for the future of the town.
Leanne O'Donnell, who runs the General Store, and her family are among the last full-time residents. She expresses her deep love for the town and her worries about its potential commercialization under new ownership. Local outrage has led to petitions and significant social media backlash, as many fear losing a crucial community hub.
As the Lions Club insists that the decision was made due to financial unsustainability, it remains unclear who the new owners will be or what might happen to Licola's cherished community atmosphere.
And if you have a spare couple of million dollars, you can buy it. The entire village - a three-hour drive from the city of Melbourne - is now up for grabs, much to the shock and ire of tight-knit locals.
Privately owned by a local community club, Licola has long been a guaranteed pit stop for fuel, food, and rest for travelers on their way to the Alpine National Park. It also has a 50-year legacy of hosting outreach programs for young people. But the local branch of the Lions Club says it can't afford to run the town anymore, leading to the decision to sell.
The sale has raised alarm bells for Licola's few passionate residents, locals in surrounding areas, and even other Lions Clubs state members, who say they weren't fairly consulted and now hold grave fears for the future of the town.
Leanne O'Donnell, who runs the General Store, and her family are among the last full-time residents. She expresses her deep love for the town and her worries about its potential commercialization under new ownership. Local outrage has led to petitions and significant social media backlash, as many fear losing a crucial community hub.
As the Lions Club insists that the decision was made due to financial unsustainability, it remains unclear who the new owners will be or what might happen to Licola's cherished community atmosphere.
